Music for Christmas-2-B (Jan 8) Epiphany

Prelude:           Noel: Dubois
Processional Hymn: 226: Lord Today
Gloria:            Gloria de Lourdes: Lecot/Berry
Readings:          497
Intercessions:     115: Lord hear our prayer
Offertory:         222: What Star Is This
                   (11) (NCAB p 526) When Jesus Our Lord (chorus): Mendelssohn
Acclamations:      103-104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Agnus Dei:         108: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Communion Hymn:    223: The First Nowell
Final Hymn:        224: We Three Kings
Postlude:          Marche des Rois Mages: Dubois

Music Notes:


This weekend at Sat 5 pm Vigil Mass, Grade Six
members are lectors, the School Choir leads our music.


Francois Clement Theodore Dubois (1837-1924) born
in Rosnay Marne France, began early musical studies at
Rheims Cathedral (with choirmaster Louis Fanart) then
attended Paris Conservatory; 1861-66 in Italy after
winning Prix de Rome; 1866 in Paris as teacher, organist,
composer; 1867 published oratorio “Les sept parole du Christ
(The Seven Last Words Of Christ)”; thereafter divided
time between Conservatory (1871- harmony prof, 1891-
composition prof, 1896-1905 director) and Church
(1868- at Madeleine as choirmaster, 1871- at Sainte
Clotilde as organist succeeded Cesar Franck, 1877- at
Madeleine as organist succeeding Camille Saint-Saens).
Lightly praised and often overlooked among the list of
his French predecessors (Berlioz, Gounod), contemporaries
(Saint-Saens, Franck, Faure), successors (Debussy, Ravel,
Satie); produced lasting religious and secular pieces
(organ, orchestral instruments, voice) shortly before
musical tastes changed from the romantic style; wrote
six textbooks on composition and harmony.


"Noel" from "Twelve New Pieces (1892)" is a set of variations
on a French Christmas Carol.


"Marche des Rois Mages" from "Twelve Pieces (1886)"
has a high-pitched "organ point"
(sustained tone against which changing harmonies are played)
to represent the star guiding the Magi. On one occasion as
Dubois performed it, organbuilder Cavaille-Coll was present,
heard the persistent note, thought it was a cipher, rushed to
the organ loft and started removing pipes to silence the note!